KB Financial Included in Global ESG Index 'FTSE4Good' for 16 Consecutive Years

Selected as a Constituent Since 2011

Disclosing Achievements in Supporting Youth, Local Communities, and SMEs

KB Financial Group announced on August 21 that it has been selected as a constituent of the global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) index, the FTSE4Good Index Series, for the 16th consecutive year.

The exterior of KB Financial Group headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. KB Financial

The FTSE4Good Index is a global ESG investment index compiled by FTSE Russell, a global index provider under the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), through a comprehensive assessment of listed companies’ performance in the areas of environment, society, and governance. It serves as a key benchmark for constructing ESG investment products or for comparing and evaluating the performance of investment portfolios.

In this year's assessment, KB Financial achieved scores above the industry average in all areas of Environment (E), Social (S), and Governance (G), earning recognition for its outstanding competitiveness across the ESG spectrum. The group is actively working to establish a sustainable ecosystem in collaboration with youth, local communities, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In addition, it transparently discloses key social contribution activities and results through its sustainability management report.

In the youth sector, KB Financial is supporting the foundation for future generations to grow by providing job matching programs, nurturing core talent in artificial intelligence (AI), and supporting youth entrepreneurship and self-reliance for young people preparing for independence. In particular, the KB Good Job fair, launched by KB Kookmin Bank in 2011, has become the largest single job fair in Korea.

In the area of local communities, KB Financial continues to expand cultural, educational, and living infrastructure, while carrying out projects to strengthen the self-sufficiency and vitality of local areas.

In the SME sector, KB Financial provides support for AI transformation (AX), green transformation (GX), and safety transformation (SX), expands impact investment in social enterprises based in local regions, and helps drive corporate innovation and revitalize local economies.

Alongside these initiatives, KB Financial continues to achieve excellent results in major global ESG evaluations. The group has received the highest AAA rating in the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) ESG assessment for five consecutive times and has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World Index) for ten consecutive years. Furthermore, it was awarded an 'A' grade in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) climate change response evaluation for two consecutive years, confirming the solid achievements of its ESG management in the global market.

Yang Jonghee, Chairman of KB Financial Group, also stated in this year's sustainability management report, "The value of finance lies in connecting funds to where they are needed and in trust that protects people’s lives and futures," adding, "On the foundation of trust, we will provide finance that achieves inclusivity, innovation, and future growth together."

A KB Financial spokesperson said, "Being included in the FTSE4Good Index for 16 consecutive years is the result of consistently putting sustainable management into practice across environment, society, and governance." The spokesperson added, "KB Financial will continue to uphold responsible finance, support the growth and independence of young people, enhance the vitality of local communities, promote innovation among SMEs, and deliver tangible value to customers and society."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.